Need to Know: The Redskins' pre-free agency to-do list

Rich Tandler

1 week ago

Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, March 7, seven days before NFL free agency starts.

Things the Redskins have to get done before free agency

Now that the tag deadline has passed and the Redskins can move on from the silly notion of pulling off a Kirk Cousins tag and trade, it is time to focus on what they need to do between now and March 14 at 4 p.m. when the league year starts. Here are a few items that should be on their to-do list.

Make a push to extend Brandon Scherff—Sure, he’s not a free agent for another two years. But he will take up a good chunk of cap space both immediately and for the duration of the contract. Having cost certainty with one of your best young players is important. A number to ponder—it likely will cost nearly $16 million to franchise tag Scherff if they don’t reach an extension in time for the 2020 season.

Make a push to extend Preston Smith—This is perhaps a more urgent matter than getting Scherff extended. Smith will be a free agent a year from now if nothing is done and, in general, pass rushers are harder to find than guards. Again, cost certainty in the short and long term are key factors.

Gauge the chances of signing Zach Brown—OK, the “legal tampering” period doesn’t start until Monday. But Brown’s agent went to the combine and he has a very good feel for what his client can get in the open market. The Redskins should get into some serious negotiating and either sign him before he hits the market or let him walk and work on signing his replacement (Anthony Hitchens, anyone?).

Take a long, hard look at Josh Norman—I don’t think that the Redskins will end up moving on from Norman before his salary becomes guaranteed shortly after the start of the league year, but they can’t let the deadline pass without at least having a serious discussion about it. He crossed over to the wrong side of 30 last December and he had zero interceptions last year. It’s hard for a corner who plays nearly every snap to fail to stumble into one or two. To be sure, interceptions aren’t everything and Norman would be hard to replace. But with a possible savings of $14 million in cash and nearly $8 million in cap space in play, the organization has to take one last, long look before committing.

Choose between Junior Galette and Trent Murphy—They probably already have done this but as with Norman they need to take one last look. It is important for them to hold on to at least one of their reserve edge rushers. Although the organization remains hopeful that Ryan Anderson can develop into an effective edge rusher, it’s hard to rely on a player who had zero sacks as a rookie to be your primary backup at outside LB.